ESTEC, the European Space Research and Technology Centre, is the technical hub of Europe’s space activities and the European Space Agency’s single largest establishment. It is based at Noordwijk in the Netherlands, on the North Sea coast.

Once a year ESTEC opens its gates to the public. Visitors can tour the sprawling site where Europe’s space missions are devised, guided through development then finally tested for space.

The 5 October 2014 ESTEC Open Day will have the theme of “50 years of European cooperation in space – bring on the next 50 years!”

ESTEC Open Day is taking place in conjunction with the Netherlands’ national Weekend of Science and the global World Space Week. ESTEC’s home municipality of Noordwijk will also be joining in the festivities across the entire weekend, its beachfront transformed into ‘the space to be’ with themed open-air exhibits and a space market.

Being obliged to limit the total number of visitors to ensure a great experience for all who do attend, we urge you to book early to avoid disappointment through this link: www.esa.int/register